Warren wrapped his arm around Anya?s waist.
?We?ll keep it in mind, Joe, thanks for being there,? Anya said.
Joe smiled her way. ?It was my pleasure, really.? He stepped over to her side of the bed, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he looked straight at Warren. ?She?s very special, Warren, don?t mess this one up.?
?Get lost,? Warren said, as jovially as he could manage.
?I?m serious. Take my advice and don?t be an idiot over this, you make a great couple.?
?Joe, you?re not helping, really.? Warren shot him a warning look, but Joe was on his way.
?Okay, okay, I?m leaving, but think about what I said. Have fun. I?ll see you back in London.?
After Joe had finally gone, Anya rolled to face Warren. She poked him rudely in the chest with one determined finger. ?So, you didn?t think Joe was helping, huh??
?Well, no.? This felt awkward. He frowned.
?So why did you do this?? She fixed him with a mock-serious stare.
?Do what??
?Bring Joe in.?
Warren felt hemmed in, because his reasons had gotten more complex over the last few days. Confused, he shrugged against the pillow with one shoulder, running his fingers over the outline of her breast. He wanted to make love to her, stake his own private claim on her, and soon. ?I told you, it was because I heard it was your fantasy and I want to make you happy.?
?Yes.? Her eyes narrowed. ?That?s what you said.? With a deep breath, she pulled away from him and sat up on the edge of the bed, facing away from him. ?But there has to be another reason, a reason for you.? She glanced back over her shoulder.
?No,? he lied.
?Do you do this all the time? Is that why you wanted me, because you heard my fantasy??
Eyebrows lifting, he shook his head. ?No, I have done it in the past, but this was for you.?
She pulled away and stood up, looking around the room for her clothes. ?I?m going to take a shower.?
Warren whispered her name, and then he realized she looked as if she were getting ready to leave and he was out of the bed and beside her, his hands on her shoulders. He turned her to face him. ?Anya? What is it??
She shrugged, and then glanced back at the empty bed. ?Maybe I need some space. This last twenty-four hours has been pretty intense.?
Warren frowned, dread swamping him. Had he done the wrong thing? ?I thought you wanted to try something like this.?
?I did, but to be honest I?m confused now.? She looked back at him. She stared up at him for the longest moment. ?Warren, was it a test??
?Test?? He shook his head, drawing her against him and refusing to acknowledge the unwilling tension in her body. ?No, please don?t think that. I thought you were okay with this. I wouldn?t even have brought the subject up, if you hadn?t indicated you were up for it.?
?I was up for it, I just ? She paused, her forehead wrinkling. ?I?m just not quite sure why you did i
t. Why you wanted it. Back in the restaurant that first night you were evasive about your fantasy, you said there was so many reasons. I want to know what your real reason is.?
He took a deep breath. If she were going to walk away, he had nothing to lose but his pride. ?I?ve wanted you for a long time. I wanted you so badly that I hung on every word when others were talking about you. But you were with someone, and even when that was over I couldn?t risk it. You might have been on the rebound. I couldn?t risk that. I wanted to be with you but I needed to guard myself. Look, okay, Joe was here to keep this light, not just for you but also for me.?
It seemed to hit her hard. ?You did this because of you??
?Wary of getting too close,? he responded hoarsely, and stroked her hair. The words tumbled on. ?Wary of wanting you too much when you might not be ready for a full relationship. It?s still soon after you split up with Andrew. Lorie worried about you being on the rebound.?
Anya gave a disbelieving laugh. ?Seriously, you thought I was on the rebound??
?Yes. I thought you were going to go back to him. Imminently. Lorie said Lorie warned me that you?d been speaking to him on the phone while I was away.?